Ice the ACCongelar el AC

Ice the AC

By Breanna Giovanniello | New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV)

A fan helps dispel heat.

Even in the dog days of summer, there are alternatives to the air conditioner – really.

Air conditioners place immense pressure on the electricity grid during peak periods of demand and are a big contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. They’re especially a problem in big cities like New York, where research has proven that air conditioners actually make the city hotter by discharging heat right back into the air.

Below are several options on how to keep cool without air conditioning that could be useful in the heat of the summer:

Keep the sun’s heat out of your home using curtains, blinds, or awnings.

Try cross ventilation and open the windows at night for an influx of cooler night air.

Install vents and fans so that as heat rises, it leaves your home and is replaced by cooler air from below.

Turn off all heat sources such as the stove and oven, lamps, your computer, and your TV.

If all else fails, visit a public building you know will be air conditioned such as the mall, library, church, or movie theater. Air conditioning doesn’t have to be considered a necessity to staying cool and comfortable during the summer. It is possible to avoid the heat and save both money and energy on air conditioning by making some small adjustments.

Hot and humid weather has already arrived but that doesn’t mean you have to rely solely on air conditioners to stay cool. Avoid sky-high electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint with our helpful tips.